Can Menopause Be Funny?
For the past couple years, menopause has been the hot topic among Gen X and Xennials now that they're in its unrelenting, sweaty grip. Halle Berry and the best-selling memoirist Naomi Watts have been promoting menopause-wellness programs and beauty and health products. And a year after it first hit shelves, readers are still unpacking Miranda July's critically acclaimed book 'All Fours,' the irreverent autofictional portrait of a perimenopausal woman's voracious sexual awakening.
The havoc that menopause wreaks on bodies and minds can feel nothing short of absurd. But, while it has provided an abundance of great material, can it actually be the basis for an entertaining TV sitcom?
The veteran comedy writers and actors Meredith MacNeill, 50, and Jennifer Whalen, 55, are the creators, executive-producers and stars of 'Small Achievable Goals,' a boldly candid half-hour workplace sitcom on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) that depicts two Gen X women going through menopause, much as they are experiencing it themselves. The premise alone is a large achievable goal: selling what Ms. Whalen described as 'a joyful comedy about menopause' to Canada's premiere network, especially amid a culture that is squeamish discussing anything related to the menstrual cycle. Then again, the comedians have a proven track record at CBC, with multiple writing and acting awards to their names.
They're considered 'Canadian comedy royalty,' according to, among others, their castmate Alexander Nunez. Though Canada has exported the comic actors Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy, as a Toronto resident Lisa Levy (no relation to Mr. Levy) explained it, our neighbors to the north do not have an obsessive celebrity culture like Americans do, unless they're 'athletes or Drake,' so there is not, say, a Tina-and-Amy equivalent in Canada (referencing Tina Fey and Amy Poehler). But if there were, these two would qualify.
'Small Achievable Goals' — or 'SAG,' as the women appropriately call it — deftly strikes the balance between raucous comedy and heart-rending poignancy as an unlikely work partnership unfolds between polar opposites whose hormones have gone haywire, amid an office full of bewildered young millennials and zoomers. 'This is a crazy time of life, but we wanted to make a laugh-out-loud comedy about [menopause] and talk about these things openly,' Ms. Whalen said.
Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
28 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Climate protester arrested for throwing paint on Picasso painting in Montreal
A climate activist from Last Generation Canada threw pink paint at L'Hétaire, a priceless Picasso painting at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts in Canada on Thursday morning. Officials said the artwork – on loan from Italy – was behind protective glass and was not damaged. The act is part of a larger protest campaign demanding climate disaster support.
Forbes
34 minutes ago
- Forbes
This City Outside Vancouver Is Canada's Hidden Foodie Hotspot
Fisherman's Wharf in Steveston Richmond, British Columbia—situated just south of Vancouver—is home to one of Canada's most dynamic food scenes. Owing to its large Asian population, the city offers a fusion of Pacific Rim and Asian cuisines. Whether you're savoring fiery Szechuan hot pots, hand-pulled noodles, pillowy Japanese soufflé pancakes, or sweet treats from donut counters and dessert cafés, here are a few can't-miss spots in Richmond. Above all, Richmond is a dumpling lover's paradise. The city's Dumpling Trail has more than 16 dumpling spots, including Jade Seafood Restaurant, which features banquet-style seafood dishes and Cantonese foods served in a polished dining space. The restaurant earns consistent praise for its pork dumplings as well as its Peking duck, noodles, and soups. An aerial view of The Richmond Night Market Celebrating 25 years this year, the Richmond Night Market is a summer hotspot and the largest night market in North America. Open weekends and holidays from spring through fall, the market has rows of food stalls with more than 600 dishes, including ramen donuts, mochi cheesecake, volcano ribs, and sushi tacos. Taco Nori serves a variety of raw food items like sushi tacos. With carnival games, neon lights, and even animatronic dinosaurs, the night market offers fun for all ages. New this year is the debut of the first-ever zip line at a night market. This 600-foot ride gives guests a thrilling bird's-eye view of the excitement below. Little Fox Bakehouse brings European-inspired flair to Richmond's pastry scene, earning fans for its flaky croissants and whimsical buns. In a cozy strip mall storefront, this boutique bakery turns out treats like almond danishes and seasonal fruit tartlets alongside unique savory buns. Its commitment to butter-forward lamination and careful technique makes it stand out amidst Richmond's sea of Asian bakeries. The restaurant's sour cabbage hot pot is a popular menu item. Located on Alexandria Road ('Food Street'), The Fish Man is a buzzy, modern Szechuan-style seafood joint that has quickly become a local favorite. Diners rave over the sour cabbage fish hot pot—hearty, tangy, and loaded with fish, tofu, and vegetables. Beyond hot pots, their skewered street-snack-inspired dishes like tender beef cubes and chewy chicken knuckles elevate casual dining to an unforgettable spice-forward experience. Taiwanese wheel cakes A local legend, Peanuts Bubble Tea was Richmond's first bubble tea shop, opening more than 30 years ago in Richmond Public Market. With classic brown sugar, taro, and novel seasonal flavors, the shop offers comfort in familiarity—trusted by generations and still blending tapioca pearls, fresh milk, and chewy yummies one cup at a time. Aside from its popular milk tea, Peanut's Bubble Tea also serves fresh fruit drinks, specialty Asian beverages, and Taiwanese wheel cakes. Gulf of Georgia Cannery Richmond's Steveston Village reflects its maritime roots with fresh Pacific seafood, working docks, and heritage sites like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Fishermen still unload salmon and spot prawns by day, fueling restaurants like Steveston Seafood House and Pajo's fish‑and‑chips shacks with stand-out catches. Dining here is part culinary experience, part living history—waterfront meals served with side views of boats, seals, and whales cruising by. Britannia Brewing Steveston is a craft brewpub in Richmond's historic Steveston Village. In Steveston, Richmond's historic fishing village, is Britannia Brewing Co., a cozy pub meeting point where craft beer and community unite. The pub sells its award‑winning ales, from IPAs and saisons to stouts and sours, alongside seafood‑inspired pub fare, charcuterie, burgers, brunch, and more. Pair a house-brewed ale like Adrift Hop Blonde with comfort food classics like fish‑and‑chips or buttermilk fried chicken. The brand has three locations in British Columbia. With only a small couch and a couple of chairs by the fireplace, this cozy spot keeps things simple, focusing on fresh, made-daily mini-donuts that pack a punch of flavor. From crowd-pleasers like Canadian maple to playful picks like Cookies 'n Cream, there's always something tempting behind the counter at Outpost Donuts. Since 2016, the BC Ale Trail has been inviting beer lovers to explore British Columbia's growing craft beer scene with stops at fan-favorite Richmond-area breweries such as Fuggles Beer and Four Winds Brewing Co., which offer guided tastings and beer flights. Richmond's upscale modern dining options are on the rise, with restaurants like Baan Lao leading the way. Recently named Canada's Best Restaurant in the 2024 World Culinary Awards, this fine Thai establishment offers a seasonal multi-course tasting menu incorporating traditional Royal Thai cooking techniques. Each dish is a work of art, envisioned by owner and executive chef Nutcha Phanthoupheng to achieve the perfect harmony of flavor, texture, and presentation. For a nightcap, head to Cask at the Versante Hotel. This stylish 12th‑floor rooftop lounge and restaurant features a chic spiral staircase, sleek furnishings, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views. Sip creative cocktails at the neon-lit bar and sample caviar flights and shareable plates.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Comedian Alan Cumming to receive honorary degree from University of St Andrews
Actor Alan Cumming is to receive an honorary degree from the University of St Andrews during a week of graduations for students from almost 90 countries. More than 2,200 students will gather at the University of St Andrews from June 30 for summer graduation ceremonies. Graduates from 88 different countries, including Canada, Australia and Nepal will receive their awards in the Younger Hall from June 30 to July 4. The graduation ceremony season will include nine 'distinguished individuals' honoured for their contributions to sport, politics, science, medicine and the arts. Marvel actor and The Traitors US presenter Alan Cumming will receive an honorary degree on Thursday July 3, while BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner will be presented with one on Friday July 4. Sustainability campaigner Sara Parkin and US golfer Judy Rankin will also receive the accolade during the week. Also recognised will be Russian-American scientist Eugene Koonin and political theorist and feminist writer Professor Cynthia Enloe. There is one ceremony on June 30 at 2pm, while the other ceremonies will occur twice in one day.
